Mansfield vs County

County visit Field Mill tomorrow in search of that elusive first away win. Last time County visited Mansfield they were again looking for that first away win of the season, but after taking a 1-0 lead, who would ruin it but Matty Hamshaw, with a typically jammy goal. Mansfield have got off to a terrible start this season, with one point from a possible nine. That point coming from the opening game against Brentford, while two defeats were at the hands of Morecambe and Lincoln. County will be hoping to pile more misery on the hapless Stags, and a win tomorrow would boost Countys league position and self-belief.

Vital Quotes:

Gaz Owen: We need a win at Mansfield, we let our lead slip against Rotherham and Chesterfield, and it’s important we get back to winning ways. We can learn from our mistakes, maybe we’ve been committing a few needless fouls, and perhaps the marking at set-pieces is something we need to sharpen up. But come tomorrow against the Stags, we will be raring to go.’

Jim Gannon: ‘I’m proud of the lads so far, I think we’ve been unlucky with a few refereeing decisions in our games so far. But the boys have shown the resilience to keep bouncing back. If they keep showing that strength of character, then we won’t be far away.’

Mansfield Town Team News:

Loan signing Lee Bullock is likely to start after coming in for a month from League One Hartlepool. Alex John Baptiste will recover in time from a calf strain that kept him out of the embarrassing 3-1 defeat at Morecambe.

Player to watch: Mickey Boulding

Boulding has scored 3 goals so far this season, albeit none have had an effect on the game apart from the leveller against Brentford in the 1-1 draw. Boulding has plenty of experience in the game, and will prove a tough test for Owen and Williams at the back.

Stockport County Team News:

Liam Dickinson and David Poole won’t feature after both gained injuries in the brutal 2-2 ‘draw’ with Rotherham last Saturday. Dickinson has got two broken bones in his wrist, probably not helped by the Rotherham defender squeezing it every time they clashed. David Poole has a reported thigh strain, and won’t play tomorrow. James Smith, fresh off signing a new 6 month loan deal, still has a virus, and Michael Rose and Rob Clare are the long term injuries, Rose looking to return about September/October.

Player to watch: Adam Proudlock

With Liam Dickinson out with a broken wrist, Adam Proudlock will be looking to step up to the plate and take his chance tomorrow, and after tearing Charlton apart in the midweek Carling Cup defeat, Proudlock will be hoping that will be enough to force Jim Gannon to give him a start.

Match Odds

Mansfield – 6/4
Draw – 21/10
County – 6/4

Ref Watch:

D McDermid

I’ve only got one thing to say. Stockport 2-7 Rochdale.

Next Fixtures:

COUNTY vs Shrewsbury – L2
Mansfield v Rotherham – JPT